Convertible boat

ABSTRACT

A boat convertible from a single hull structure (like a kayak or canoe) to a dual hull structure (like a catamaran). The boat having a first hull, a second hull, and a spacer. The first hull and the second hull able to innerfit together to form the single hull. The first hull and the second hull able to, through use of the spacer, be rigidly spaced apart thereby forming the dual hull structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to boats, and more particularly relates to boats convertible from a single hull structure to a dual spaced hull structure.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Many different types of boats are utilized for various different uses. For instance, it has been known to use kayaks for traveling through whitewater rapids, canoes for moving through slow water, flat bottom boats for boating in areas with low water, and catamaran style boats for leisurely cruising, etc. Differing water conditions and differing uses require that a user own or have access to boats of different configurations and structures so as to be able to utilize the best boat type for the particular area. Other considerations such as transportation of the boat on a trailer, storing of the boat on the water in a dock slip, surface area available for passengers and equipment, stability, depth of the water upon which the craft is being used, the width of the waterway, the benefit of a catamaran being self bailing, power options, alternative uses, and launching the boat are also considerations in the size and configuration of the boat style desired to be used.

[0005] What is needed is a boat which is convertible between a kayak/canoe style to a catamaran style thereby giving the user at least two different use options. What additionally is needed is a boat that is able to convert between the two of these modes in a quick and efficient manner, not needing the use of specialized tools. The present invention solves these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is a boat convertible from a single hull structure (like a kayak or canoe) to a dual spaced hull structure (like a catamaran). One embodiment of the invented boat comprises a first hull, a second hull and a spacer means. The first hull comprises at least one first connection means for connecting said first hull to said second hull. The second hull comprises at least one second connection means for connecting said second hull to said first hull. In the preferred embodiment, the first connection means comprises a first length of pipe extending from the first hull, and the second connection means comprises a second length of pipe extending from the second hull, wherein the second connection means pipe is able to be received into the first connection means pipe, or vice versa, with the hulls being held together via the friction fit of the connection means.

[0007] The spacer is able to space said first hull from said second hull thereby forming said dual spaced hull structure. When not used (when the boat is in its unitary hull mode), the spacer is preferably able to be stored on the boat. It is preferred that the spacer is able to connect between the first connection means and the second connection means. When the spacer is removed, the first hull and the second hull can be connected together to form said single hull structure.

[0008] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a first end view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in the kayak or canoe mode.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded transition view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an end exploded transition view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a first end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the present invention in the catamaran mode.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in its kayak mode.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention in its catamaran mode.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first and second hull utilized with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 9 is top view of one embodiment of a spacer of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the spacer of FIG. 9.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a partial side view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the attachment of the spacers in detail.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a partial, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing in detail the attachment of a spacer to a connection.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a partial side transition view of the attachment of the spacer means of the present invention to the connection means of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0023] The present invention is a boat convertible from a single hull structure, similar to a kayak or canoe, into a dual spaced hull structure, similar to a catamaran. The present invention comprises a first hull portion, a second hull portion, means of connecting the first hull portion near said second hull portion thereby forming a unitary (single) hull structure, and means of connecting the first hull portion distant said second hull portion thereby forming a spaced (dual) hull structure.

[0024] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 4, shown are first end sequential views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention being converted from its kayak (or canoe) mode 20 to its catamaran mode 30. FIG. 1 starts by showing the convertible boat kayak mode 20. This kayak mode 20 having a unitary hull comprising a first hull 30 attaching to a second hull 40. In the preferred embodiment, this hull is “unitary” in that the hull consists essentially a single unit, not being a pair of spaced units. However, it is expressly envisioned that the “unitary” version may be modified to include versions where the hulls are only slightly spaced apart, for instance being very slightly spaced apart thereby making the canoe/kayak self bailing.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, the first hull 30 is shown separated from the second hull 40. Separation of the two hulls reveals the connections 60, 62 which are utilized to connect the first hull 30 to the second hull 40. Other manners of connecting the two hull portions together are also envisioned. In converting the present invention from its kayak/canoe mode into its catamaran mode, the two hulls will need to be separated, rotated, and then affixed together. It is preferred that that separation of the two hulls involves merely pulling or prying the two hulls apart. The two hulls, in the embodiment shown, are held together through the friction fit of the connections with grooves within the hulls, as discussed infra. It is also envisioned that a manner of locking the two hulls together may also be provided.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, shown is the rotation of the hulls from the generally horizontally orientation shown in FIG. 2 to the generally vertical orientation shown in FIG. 3. The result is the rotation of the connections 60, 62 upwards until they are generally vertical, as shown in FIG. 4. A spacer 70 attaching between the first connection 60 and the second connection 62 is then used to create a dual hulled (catamaran) structure. Additionally, a tarp 80 or other covering aid can be built into the spacer 70 or provided extended over the gap between the first and second hull thereby providing a platform on which a user(s) of the present invention can sit or stand.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the kayak/canoe embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, and in FIG. 7, with the alternative structure, the catamaran-like structure, shown in FIG. 6. The kayak/canoe embodiment 20 shown in FIG. 5 shows the use of a unitary hull 22, whereas the catamaran style embodiment of FIG. 6 shows the dual hull structure comprising a first hull 30 spaced from the second hull 40.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, shown is one embodiment of the catamaran structure of the present invention. Show is the catamaran structure 50 comprising a first hull 30 having at least one generally vertical connection means 60 (in this embodiment additional connection means are not shown) extending upwards therefrom. Likewise, provided is a second hull 40 having a number of generally vertical connection means 62, 62′, 62″ extending upwards therefrom. These connection means are for connecting with the spacer means 70, 70′, 70″ to rigidly lock the first hull 30 spaced from the second hull 40. In the embodiment shown, the spacer means 70, 70′, 70″ are provided with holes therethrough which are able to receive therein the distal ends of the connection means 60, 62, 62′, 62″. Additionally, in this embodiment, provided are attachments 72, 72′, 72″, for instance, cords, wires, rubber straps, etc., which can be used to hold the spacer means on the connection means. This manner of attachment is further shown in FIG. 9.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 8, shown is one embodiment of the preferred hulls of the dual hulled structure of the present invention. These hulls comprising the first hull 30 and the second hull 40. The first hull 30 having a number of connections 60, 160, 260, which are able to connect with the second connections 62, 162, 262 of the second hull 40. The preferred manner of engagement is a friction fit into a corresponding channel (61, 63, 161, 163, 261, 263) formed within the hulls 30, 40 themselves. In the preferred embodiment, this friction fit is supplemented through connection to the stored attachments. The spacer in its stowable mode 90 can be stored within a groove within the second hull 40. The strapping 72 from the stowable mode 90 of the spacers 70 could further be utilized to lock the hulls together. In an alternative embodiment, the first connection means could comprises a tube having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter than the second connection means (also a tube) wherein the first connection means is able to slide within the second connection means.

[0030] In this figure, for illustrative purposes, the first hull 30 is shown in the generally horizontal position whereby it would be used in the canoe/kayak structure and the second hull 40 is shown in the generally vertical position whereby it would be used in the catamaran structure.

[0031] One alternative option available with the present invention is the utilization of a tarp 80 or other platform, which can be stretched taut across the body of the boat, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to form a platform upon which an operator and passengers of the boat could sit, walk, etc. Other options include: the provision of mounts for an outboard engine, ice runners, oar locks, the ability to add a sail, the ability to add a dwelling structure to the platform, such as a tent, duck blinds, etc. Thus, the present invention is able to be used for innumerable uses, including: an ice boat, a camp cot, an ice fishing shelter, a duck blind, a sailboat, a speed boat, a whitewater kayak, a sea kayak, a canoe, a house boat, an emergency stretcher, a swamp buggy, a jet boat, etc. This tarp 80 can be built into the spacer itself, as discussed infra.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 9, shown is a top view of the preferred embodiment of a spacer 70 of the present invention. This spacer comprising a frame covered with a tarp. In the embodiment shown this tarp 80 defines a number of channels which are able to receive therethrough the end pieces 82, 182 and the side pieces 84, 184. These side and end pieces able to connect together to form said frame. The spacer 70 able to attach to the connections 60, 62 of the present invention through use of a pair of connection orifices 88, 188 defined within one of the side pieces 84. At least one tarp orifice 86, 186 is preferably defined within the tarp 80. This tarp orifice 86, 186 able to, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, connect with the attachment 72, thereby pulling the tarp taut and holding the spacer tightly upon the hull structure it is attached to.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 10, shown is an exploded view of the preferred spacer 70 showing how the spacer can be broken apart, condensed down, rolled up and stored, for instance when the present invention is in its kayak mode. The end pieces and the side pieces being detached from one another and slid out of the tarp pockets in which they reside during the tarp mode. The first and second end pieces able to slide within the first side piece. The first slide piece able to side within the second side piece. The second slide piece able to be inserted back within one of the tarp pockets, with the tarp then being rolled around the outside surface of the second side piece thereby resulting in the storable mode 90 of the spacer 70, as shown.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 11, shown is a side perspective view of the attachment of a first spacer 70 and a second spacer 170 to a first hull 30 of the present invention. This hull 30 having a number of connections 60, 160, 260 extending therefrom which cooperate with the spacers 70, 170 to form the catamaran mode of the present invention, in conjunction with the second hull (not shown). As can be seen, the first end pieces 82 of the spacers 70, 170 are provided with orifices therein which allow them to be slid upon and connect with the connections 60, 260. Attachments 72, 272 are utilized to fasten said end pieces upon said connections 60, 260. The preferred attachments 72, 272 preferable comprise ratchetable nylon strapping which is preferably able to also be utilized, through use of the tarp orifices 86, 186 to draw the tarp 80 taut upon the spacer frames. The second end pieces 184 of the spacers 70, 170 are then able to lie adjacent one another upon the connection 160. Another attachment 172 is preferable able to hold the side pieces 184 upon the center connection 160.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 12, the preferred connection of the end pieces to the side pieces to the connections are shown. In this embodiment, the ends of the end pieces 82 have a positioning pin or tang 96 extending therefrom able to be received into a hole located in the side pieces 84. These side pieces having an lower orifice 94 able to receive therein a connection 60 and an upper orifice 88 able to receive therein a positioning pin 98. An attachment 72 is then utilized, through use of tarp orifices 86 within the tarp 80, to draw the tarp taut, to hold the positioning pin in the upper orifice and to hold the end piece positioning pin within and to the side piece as shown. Other methods of connecting these components together as well as connecting the spacer to the hulls is also envisioned.

[0036] It is preferred that the hulls be made of polypropylene, rubber covered and foam filled fiberglass, or aluminum. The preferred connections, end pieces and side pieces comprise aluminum tubing having the appropriate and necessary placement pins formed or attached thereon. Other materials are also possible for all of these components. It is preferred that all pieces utilized in one mode are able to be utilized or stored in the other mode.

[0037] While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A boat convertible from a single hull structure to a dual spaced hull structure, said boat comprising: a first hull; a second hull; and at least one spacer able to space said first hull from said second hull thereby forming said dual spaced hull structure; wherein said spacer can be removed and said first hull and said second hull can be connected together to form said single hull structure.
 2. The boat of claim 1 wherein said first hull comprises at least one connection means for connecting said first hull to said second hull.
 3. The boat of claim 1 wherein said second hull comprises at least one connection means for connecting said second hull to said first hull.
 4. The boat of claim 1 wherein said first hull comprises at least one first connection means for connecting said first hull to said second hull and wherein said second hull comprises at least one second connection means for connecting said second hull to said first hull.
 5. The boat of claim 4 wherein said first connection means and said second connection means connect with one another.
 6. The boat of claim 4 wherein said first connection means comprises a first length of pipe extending from said first hull, wherein said second connection means comprises a second length of pipe extending from said second hull, wherein said second connection means pipe is able to be received into said first connection means pipe.
 7. The boat of claim 4 wherein said spacer comprises a length of tubing able to connect between said first connection means and said second connection means.
 8. A boat convertible from a single hull structure to a dual spaced hull structure, said boat comprising: a first hull, said first hull comprising at least one first connection means for connecting said first hull to said second hull; a second hull, said second hull comprising at least one second connection means for connecting said second hull to said first hull; and at least one spacer able to space said first hull from said second hull thereby forming said dual spaced hull structure; wherein said spacer can be removed and said first hull and said second hull can be connected together to form said single hull structure.
 9. The boat of claim 8 wherein said first connection means and said second connection means connect with one another.
 10. The boat of claim 8 wherein said first connection means comprises a first length of pipe extending from said first hull, wherein said second connection means comprises a second length of pipe extending from said second hull, wherein said second connection means pipe is able to be received into said first connection means pipe.
 11. The boat of claim 8 wherein said spacer comprises a length of tubing able to connect between said first connection means and said second connection means.
 12. A boat convertible from a single hull structure to a dual spaced hull structure, said boat comprising: a first hull, said first hull comprising at least one first connection means for connecting said first hull to said second hull; a second hull, said second hull comprising at least one second connection means for connecting said second hull to said first hull; and at least one spacer able to space said first hull from said second hull thereby forming said dual spaced hull structure, said spacer comprising a length of tubing able to connect between said first connection means and said second connection means; wherein said spacer can be removed and said first hull and said second hull can be connected together to form said single hull structure.
 13. The boat of claim 12 wherein said first connection means comprises a first length of pipe extending from said first hull, wherein said second connection means comprises a second length of pipe extending from said second hull, wherein said second connection means pipe is able to be received into said first connection means pipe. 